Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Manchester City
and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday Jan 3, 2012.

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Too easy: Manchester City produced a business-like display against LiverpoolPhoto: EPA

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Central to the midfield: the impressive Yaya Toure celebrates after scoring City's second in their rout of Liverpool

By Henry Winter, at the Etihad Stadium

7:30AM GMT 04 Jan 2012

On a day of statements, Manchester City made a powerful footballing one. For those predicting a period of silence for the noisy neighbours after recent stuttering form, City simply turned up the decibel level, moving three points clear of United at the top of the Premier League.

The champions, who visit St James’ Park on Wednesday, will accept the challenge in their usual determined fashion but City’s win over Liverpool felt an important statement of intent. They had drawn at the Hawthorns and lost at the Stadium of Light: hardly the hallmark of pretenders to the throne. They looked more the real deal here, playing with edge and belief, defensive resilience and supreme work-rate. City are back in business.

Roberto Mancini had torn into his players for not concentrating during the New Year’s Day’s defeat by Sunderland and they responded in style. They were hungry, intelligent and busy throughout. They never allowed Liverpool any space, any time in possession. So much for Mancini’s concerns about his players being exhausted.

Sergio Agüero, Yaya Touré and a James Milner penalty gave City a straightforward victory, so straightforward that they never looked troubled when losing Gareth Barry to a soft red card. Yaya Touré was again excellent, and the midfield powerhouse will be missed when he leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations, but once again most praise must be lavished on City’s captain, Vincent Kompany, the rock on which opposing attacks founder.

Andy Carroll was poor, failing to disturb Kompany, who again reminded everyone of his qualities. There is a determination to the Belgian, a ruthless efficiency in thwarting opponent. As captain, Kompany sets a good tone of no ego, just relentless application.

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With Kompany in such form, and Micah Richards also impressing until Craig Bellamy gave him a few late problems, a lacklustre Liverpool simply could not break City down, even with Bellamy on, even with Steven Gerrard given another half-hour. Kenny Dalglish’s players looked distracted, as if still absorbing the ramifications of Luis Suárez’s ban, and need to sharpen up mentally quickly.

For those away followers hoping for a show of defiance, Liverpool were lifeless. On a painful day for a famous club, the game brought more misery, their mood captured by the pouring rain. In what should have been an opportunity for Carroll to demonstrate his abilities, the opening 45 minutes in particular proved merely a reminder of how much they will miss Suárez’s energy and inventiveness around the box.

Liverpool were blunt, Carroll anonymous as City swept into a two-goal lead. City were sharper, quicker to close the visitors down, always looking to test Pepe Reina. Edin Dzeko, so disappointing on Wearside, was more involved, bringing a low save from Reina, who then made a rare error, an astonishing mistake for one of the most reliable keepers.

When Agüero let fly, the Argentinian imparted enough venom in the shot and the ball bounced in front of Reina, but it should still have been a fairly routine save for the Spaniard. Somehow Reina allowed Agüero’s shot to spill through his grasp and go passed him into the net.

Liverpool rallied briefly, looking to find Carroll but City were too alert, notably Richards, who leapt well to steer a cross away from Carroll at the far-post. City’s threat was always there, always posed from a range of options. Kompany demanded a good save from Reina, who partially made amends for his earlier mistake by tipping the header clear, but the pressure never eased. David Silva curled in a corner and there was Yaya Touré, eluding Glen Johnson, heading in.

Trailing by two goals, Liverpool slowly awoke. Carroll headed wide. Kompany, again outstanding, blocked a Dirk Kuyt shot. Liverpool lacked spark, though. Dalglish resisted any changes at the break, waiting 12 minutes before introducing Gerrard and Bellamy, the ex-City player who was welcomed warmly by the home fans.

Bellamy was immediately involved, charging down the left, soon lifting in a cross that required more good defending by Richards to divert to safety. Another Bellamy cross reached Carroll, who finally managed to rise above Kompany, but the England striker’s header lacked conviction.

Mindful of their manager’s anger after the last game, City’s players were models of concentration and team-mindedness. Dzeko tracked back. So did Agüero. Barry headed clear. City were then stunned when Barry, already cautioned for a challenge on Jay Spearing, was sent off for a second yellow, running into Daniel Agger. It was a pointless challenge, particularly as Yaya Touré was sliding in to dispossess the Dane, but was hardly venomous.

Mancini was furious, questioning the decision, and eventually laughing at what he saw as the absurdity of the red card. Within a minute of going a man down, City went a further goal up. Yaya Touré motored into the box but fell far too easily under Martin Skrtel’s challenge. Penalty decreed Mike Jones, pointing immediately to the spot. Whatever the legitimacy of the decision, there could be no arguing with the unanswerable nature of Milner’s finish from the spot, the ball driven unerringly past Reina.

As City’s players celebrated, their manager embarrassed himself. Mancini waved an imaginary card in an attempt to get Skrtel dismissed, making it 10 men apiece. The fourth official, Stuart Attwell, commendably was having none of this attempted gamesmanship and rebuked the Italian.

Liverpool tried not to go out with a whimper. Maxi Rodriguez directed a weak shot wide. Then Gerrard drove towards the edge of the City area but failed to worry Hart. Bellamy threatened but the best chance in the late exchanges fell to Adam Johnson, who hit a post. City have re-found their stride. Liverpool need to re-find their spark.